10 U.S. Code § 3752 - Medals: posthumous award and presentation

(a)If a person dies before the award of a medal of honor, distinguished-service cross, distinguished-service medal, distinguished flying cross, or device in place thereof, to which he is entitled, the award may be made and the medal or device presented to his representative, as designated by the President.

(b)If a person dies before an authorized service medal or device prescribed as a part thereof is presented to him under section
3751 of this title, it shall be presented to his family.

In subsection (a), the words “If a person” are substituted for the words “In case an individual * * * dies”, in 10:1409, and “In case an individual * * * shall have died”, in 10:1429. The words “within three years from the date”, in 10:1409, are omitted as covered by section
3744 of this title. The words “who shall distinguish himself”, in 10:1409, and “who distinguishes himself”, in 10:1429, are omitted as covered by the words “the award * * * to which he is entitled”.

1958 Act

The change reflects the fact that the source statute for these sections (sec. 1 of the Act of May 12, 1928, ch. 528, 45 Stat. 500) was mandatory and not merely permissive.